Automatic switch



' 1,635,07 1927' 1., w. GILBERT 8 AUTOMATIC SWITCH Filed Jan. 19, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 fidJi -M- -o INVENTOR WITNESS: ATTORNE 1927 L. w. GILBERT AUTOMATIC SWITCH 2 Shoots-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 19, 1 924 L. INVENTOR ATTORNEY WITNESSES Patented July 5, 1927.

UNITED STATES LEWII W GILBBIT, OF SENECA FALLS, NEW YORK.

AuroxA'rIc swrrorr.

Application fled January 19, 1924. Serial No. 687,322.

The object of this invention is to provideand 13 with a commercial type ofstarting particular means for completing a circuit through the starting motor of an internal combustion en ine.

A further 0 ject is to provide for automatically completing this circuit when the engine stalls.

A still further object is to provide an automatic switch to be mounted on the usual starting switch, and a circuit closing device connected with the intake manifold, and acting to complete a circuit through the auto- .matic switch when starting the engine, but automatically opening this circuit and the motor circuit when the engine is running, the movement to open position being due to suction in the intake manifold.

Another object is to avoid the danger of unduly taxin the battery by leaving the ignition switch closed when the car is at rest,

suflicient noise being made in turning over the motor to attract the drivers attention. With'the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists in the novel construction and arrangement of elements de: scribed, illustrated and claimed, it being understood that modifications may be made within the S00 e of the claim without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawings forming part of this application,

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view showing the position of certain of the elements of this attachment, with reference to the starting switch of a standard type.

Figure 2 is a .view in section thru the mountin means of magnet. 30, and showing in elevation and section the contact elements thru which a circuit is to be completed when this magnet is energized.

Figure 3 is a view looking from the lower side of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a view in vertical section thru the housing of a plunger which acts by gravity to close a pair of contacts when the engine stalls the plunger otherwise being lifted for breaking the circuit at this point,

7 by suction in the intake manifold with which the housing or cylinder for this plunger is to be connected. r.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic view of the circuits and elements connected therewith, the structure of Figure 4 being illustrated conventionally in the lower'part of Figure 5. In carrying out the invention, I employ brackets 10, 11, which are conn cted at 12 switch 14. Wire 15 leads to a source of cur rent, and wire 16 to the starting motor 17. A resilient arm 18 is in electrical connec tion with bracket 10 by means of bolt 19, and carries a copper contact 20 nornmlly spaced from a similar contact 21 carried by element or bolt 22, the latter being in elect-r1cal connection with bracket 11.

Strips 23, 24 of insulation are ositioned on opposite sides of a supporting e ement 26, and in the location shown with reference to brackets 10 and 11, arm 18, and bolt 22.

A screw 27 passes through the strips 23, 24 into core 28 surrounded by coil 30. This 0011 is in the circuit including wire 31 from switch S and including wire 33 leading to terminal 34 and contact 35 mounted in and insulated from the device to be connected with the intake manifold. i

This device last named is responsive to suction in the intake manifold, and includes a cylinder 37 having a port 38 and a threaded elbow connection 39 provided with a. bore 40 through which communication is established with the manifold.

The plunger 41 in the cylinder carries a I contact member 42 cooperating with contact 35, and mounted on the plunger is a ball valve 43 closing port 44 and bore 40, "when i the plunger rises, because of suction in the intake manifold. Contacts 35, 42 are closed by gravity, and contact 42 is' grounded through the plunger, the cylinder and the mounting thereof.

Battery current passes thru wire B, thru switch S, to wire I connected with the ignition system. When the ignition switch is first closed, current passes through wire 31, coil 30, wire 33, terminal 34, contacts 35, 42, plunger 41, cylinder 37, to ground. Core 28 being energized, arm or armature 18 is lifted, and closes contacts 20, 21, so that a circuit is completed through wire 15, bracket 10, bolt 19, arm 18, contacts 20, 21, bolt 22, bracket 11, wire 16, and the starting motor 17.

After the engine starts the suction in the intake manifold, and in bofe 40 of elbow connection 39, lifts plunger 41 and breaks contact between 35 and 42, thereby deenerscribed, but if the engine stalls because of careless driving, the lack of suction Will cause plunger 41 to drop and make contact at 35, 42, resulting in repeating the operation before outlined,

Port 38 allows air to enter at cranking speeds without raising the plunger, and the ball valve 43 when closed prevents leakage of air into the manifold.

lVhat I claim is:

In a device of the class described, a circuit including a source of current, a starting motor in the circuit, electrically operated means for closing the circuit, said means including a second circuit, means rcsponsive to suction for opening the second of the cylinder including a tubular connection for establishing communication with an air intake manifold of an engine, and a valve carried by the plunger for closing said tubular connection when the plunger responds to suction and separates the contact members, the cylinder having a port admitting air above the plunger when the latter is not under the influence of suction.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

LEWIS W. GILBERT. 

